Distance no problem for Mo Plex in Ohio Derby

Mo Plex, who had not won in three previous attempts beyond seven furlongs, handled the 1 1/8 miles of Saturday's $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3) with aplomb, scoring by two lengths over 6-5 favorite Chunk of Gold.

The 5-1 fourth choice in a field of eight three-year-olds in Thistledown's most lucrative race, Mo Plex was making his first start since the April 19 Bay Shore S., a seven-furlong test in which the son of Complexity eked out a head victory after a race-long duel.

Instead of battling for the lead in the Ohio Derby, though, Mo Plex rated kindly a length or so behind Clever Again, who carved out splits of :23.42, :47.75, and 1:12.04. Increasing his pressure on that rival approaching the turn for home, Mo Plex easily moved past that rival in upper stretch and held sway as both Chunk of Gold and McAfee made belated rallies.

Under Joe Ramos, Mo Plex covered nine furlongs in 1:50.72 over a fast track and paid $12.80. Chunk of Gold, exiting a ninth-place effort in the Kentucky Derby (G1), was two lengths ahead of McAfee, who was followed by Extradition, Brereton's Baytown, Clever Again, Bohemian Style, and Capo Luca.

Owned by R and H Stable and trained by Jeremiah Englehart, Mo Plex has now won five of eight starts. At two, Mo Plex won his first three starts, including the Sanford (G3) and Funny Cide S. for New York-breds, and then concluded his juvenile campaign with a distant third in the Champagne (G1) and a second in the Sleepy Hollow S., both over a mile.

Mo Plex tried a mile again in the March 8 Gander S. at Aqueduct, but weakened late to third, though only a half-length behind the winner. His last-out win in the Bay Shore followed.

Most recently sold for $24,000 as an OBS April juvenile, Mo Plex has now bankrolled $745,000. Bred by Everything's Cricket Racing, he was produced by Mo Joy, an unraced daughter of Uncle Mo.